"School is over, Oh well"

The title is what Lincoln told me as we were leaving MDO for the last time.  I was cracking up.  He really did enjoy going to "school" so I not sure where that remark came from. I had been trying to prepare him that it was coming to an end and he would no longer see his teacher, Ms. Kay.  Apparantely he came to grips with it rather easily.

I am so glad that we decided to give Lincoln this opportunity to gain some experience outside of a home-type setting.  He grew up so much through the experience of being in a classroom and understanding how to sit and listen as well as taking turns.  He also learned many Bible lessons, Bible songs, Bible verses as well as academically.  In fact, on the evening of his last day of MDO was the terrible Moore, OK tornadoes.  I was watching the weather and we were talking about when we needed to take cover.  I must have been visibly upset because Lincoln walked over to me, touched my face and said "It's ok mommy. God said not be scared.  He will save us."  I love that between home, church, MDO and his sitter he constantly hears and learns about our Savior.  

Here is the infamous comparison of Lincoln on the first day and the last day.  Before we took the last day picture I showed him the first day picture.  He immediately saw the spiderman mask and insisted that we find it and put it in the last picture as well.  And in fact he even wanted to wear it for a few pictures.

I usually drop Lincoln off in the mornings for MDO but on his last day I walked him in.  I got his teacher a little something and wanted to make sure she received it.  And I wanted a picture of him with his teacher.  She is so great with kids.  

Lincoln seems to be growing up so quickly lately.  He is now in the big boy bed, taking quite quickly to being potty trained at nights, completely undressing and completely dressing himself lately.  He knows all his letters and sounds, all his colors, can count to 15 and is able to spell his name.  He is even starting to try to write his name and has the "L" down pretty well.  He is 100% in an independent stage.  He wants to do EVERY.SINGLE.THING himself.  Bless him and us.  He recently hit a pitched ball all the way over our house and can throw the ball up on the roof by himself.  Some of his favorite things to eat are raisins and yogurt.  His favorite shows are Fireman Sam, Veggie Tales, Thomas and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

And just for kicks and giggles.  Here is Emery on Lincoln's first day and last day.  

Big Boy Bed {sorta}

Well, we finally decided it was time for Lincoln to "bust out" of his crib. As wild and energetic as Lincoln is, he crashes hard at night and has NEVER crawled out of his crib. He has never been a climber and we are grateful. However, he is getting so big and heavy that it was crazy to keep putting him in a crib. And probably the fact that he is our first we were terrified of the transition so we kept putting it off. But it was time. So on the evening of Mother's Day, May 12th, we took the side of his bed off.  His crib actually transitions to a full size bed but we were not ready to part with the floor and play space he has in his room for now.  So it is {sorta} a big boy bed. 

He was in the other room and by some miracle he stayed away the entire time we took the side off.  After we were done Cory went to find him and had a little "chat" with him about how he is a "big boy" and he gets more responsibility, etc.  He was running back to his room to check out the change. 

We opted for the ever-popular pinterest idea of a pool noodle under the sheet to be a "rail" for him not to fall out. We actually put 2 noodles in there to make it more sturdy.   It has worked perfectly.  No problems falling out at all.  

He jumped right into bed and wanted some covers.  The picture shows his happiness!

And again - pinterest to the rescue.  My mom actually found this idea on there and shared it with me.  It is a light timer where you set the time you want it to come on and go off.  We taught him that he has to stay in his bed till the light comes on.  We have it set for 7:45 a.m. (which is the standard time he wakes up) and goes off at 9:00 a.m (b/c he has never slept past then).  Lincoln is one to follow rules so for the last week he has stayed in there till the night light comes on.  I chose to do a night light so that if he is still sleeping and it comes on it will not wake him.  For the first few mornings I would hear him say, "Mommy, my light is on" and I was say "Ok, well that means you can get up" and his reply was "O ok, just checking." At nap times he can just get up when he wakes up. 

Lincoln is and has been completely potty trained except night time so I am hoping with the big bed we can start night training him soon.  This will give him the freedom to get up and go to the bathroom, which he has done a few times already. 

I remember thinking that I really wanted to get to 2.5 years old before putting him in a big bed but never dreamed we would make it to 3 years, 3 months. He is getting too big and it is a good feeling to let him spread his wings a little.  Ha!

Mommy's Day

We enjoyed a busy but fun Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday morning we celebrated the upcoming of wedding of our favorite Elizabeth - my school psychologist colleague and Lincoln and Emery's favorite babysitter - Ewisabef.  We had a fun rustic bridal shower and she got lots of fun goodies. 



After the shower, I headed home to see Mimi and Poppy who came up to visit. While the kids napped, we took Poppy with us to do some shopping for some landscape items.  Lincoln was our number 1 helper in the middle of it all.  An upcoming post on the landscaping transformation. 


On Sunday we attended church and then had took some pictures of the crew!

We enjoyed playing in the backyard while Cory smoked some chickens for lunch, which were extra yummy!

Cory, Lincoln and Emery got me some fun new shades and a new beach chair.  In a few short weeks we will be heading to spend a week in the beach with my mom, dad and brother's family.

I could not be anymore grateful to be a mother to these sweet kiddos.  It is, like everyone says, the hardest job and yet such a rewarding one.  I constantly pray that God will give me patience and wisdom in how to handle day to day issues as well as teaching them about our Savior. I fail constantly but pray God will continue to walk along side me in this huge role He has entrusted us.  I am grateful for my mom who has taught me so much about being a mom and still helps me on a daily basis with my mom skills.  Thanks, mom!

Presents and Disney on Ice

Well, after Emery ate her cake we opened up her presents.  She was given lots of clothes, a few toys and a new kitchen!  She had lots of little cousin helpers.

Saturday afternoon after Emery's party, the girls and the kids headed to Disney on Ice.  This tour showed the Prince and the Frog, Cinderella and Tangled.  Lincoln is young enough that he was fascinated by the ice skaters and not bothered by ALL the princess stuff everywhere.  Mimi found him a sword to buy him which helped him feel more manly.  

The show was so great.  Lincoln sat there the whole hour and a half and watched the show.  He was sure to hold on tight to his sword the whole time but did rearrange so he could clap after each song.  

Emery, on the other hand, had a tough time.  I think she was just exhausted from the days activities but there was soo much going on to catch any Zzzz's. She spent time in just about everyone's lap. 

The show was soo great!  It was my first time to see it and I enjoyed it!  It was such a fun ending to a great day.

Smash Cake!

Warning: Lots of cake and baby pictures ahead!  

Emery LOVED eating her first birthday cake!  I will let the pictures tell the story!

You guys are BORING me...